Piecing together the lives of Nailsworth's First World War fallen soldiers

AMATEUR historians are busy researching the names of soldiers commemorated on Nailsworth's war memorial.

To mark next year's centenary of the start of the First World War, two volunteers from the Nailsworth Archives group are planning to spend 10 months collating information on each of the 78 men who died in the conflict.

The pair, Mike Harvey and Ros John, are appealing for information, photographs and newspaper cuttings which could help their research.

"We are looking for any snippet of information however big or small so we can start to build a story around each of the names," said Mike.

"We already know some basic information from census records and military records but we want to find out more about these men so they are more than just names on a war memorial."

The group hopes to get schools involved and the finished information will be displayed at locations including the library, the tourist information centre and town hall.

"The men deserve to be remembered, the more you go into this the more you realise what they went through," said Ros.

"What has surprised me is that although the majority were very young, between them they left 42 children behind.

"So we know there are direct relatives out there who might one day want to come here and find out about their ancestors.

"It will be a lot of work but very rewarding."

Nailsworth Archives is run by seven volunteers who meet two mornings a week to work on various projects.

Based on the first floor of the town hall, the group helps visitors from all over the world who are researching people or events with a Nailsworth connection.

Anyone who has information which could help piece together the lives of the soldiers should contact Mike on 01453 832739, email nailswortharchive@yahoo.co.uk or speak to members of the Nailsworth Archives group at the town hall on Mondays or Fridays from 10am to noon.

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